2009 VQ/CC (vision quest/counting coupe) - Ride Reports - pics

[aukmal]

News flash…early coverage from the 2009 Vision Quest! It’s proving to be a perfect day for the ‘quest. It’s sunny and I think it must’ve been in the low 40’s at the start line and close to freezing at Beek’s place. I wanted to catch some of the early action so the alarm went off at 3:30 am. I managed to roll out from the Blackstar trail head around 4:15 am: in the distance, I thought I heard some shouting, “Hey! Get back here!”…

Somewhere near the top of the first climb, a Toyota FJ cruises by and two friendly volunteers joke with me that people at the start line thought I was trying to get a jump on the start of the race…go figure, that must’ve been the shouting that I heard.

I think it must’ve been literally freezing. By the time I got to Beek’s place, I was losing feeling in my fingers and was sure that I had plenty of frozen snot on my face. I think I got to the Golf Ball around 5:15



The race would start at 5:30 am

I wasn’t surprised, but more amazed when the first two riders rolled by about 6:15…45 minutes after the start of the race.



Josh Jacquot was hot on their tails about 5 minutes behind



Doctor (aka rut) and Padre battling the pack towards the front of the main group.

Is it any surprise to see Sanjay (local pro downhill racer) passing people on his Path custom edition Ventana El Ciclon with a single chainring up front?! (note there is no number plate on his ride)...I noticed that the even volunteers cheered all the "recreational riders" on with equal enthusiasm as the registered riders.



I heard Donkey and Hugh were camping somewhere along the trail, but since I didn’t personally see them, I can’t confirm nor deny that rumor.

I headed back home early and cooked some Huevos con Chorizo to help thaw me out.

Aukmal

[Lovin]

That's awesome. Great pics.

Sanjay's got to have one of the heavier bikes on the course today.

[scruffylooking]

Cool update, Auk. We should have you live blogging the race action as it progresses.

[Zippy]

Text from Luke Wiens: 6:20 VQ finish for him. Whoa!

[Rivet]

The first two through look like Manny and Dana Weber.

[lukewiens]

awesome day! finished in 6:22 (i was told...forgot my watch) to blow my last years time out of the water...stoked!!

congrats to all that toed the line...what a beautiful day it was for racing!!

[dirtyjeff]

WOW! gongrats!

[duke777]

Hugh and Brian were on blackstar cheering on all the racers.

And 1x1clyde was at top of Black Star with cow bell and megaphone!

[mp3]

Congrats to everyone who was out riding today.
Here's my writeup for my '09 experiment.

Counting Coup on a 24" BMX

I've done the Vision Quest since 2004 and I wanted to do something different this year, something new. A couple of years ago STR's Sauce wanted to do the CC on a BMX and since then that crazy idea has stuck with me. Some folks said it couldn't be done and almost everyone else thought it was insane. Sounded like my type of ride and a nice challenge.

I got a BMX a couple of weeks ago thanks to Mike Cafferey from the Warrior's Society. I only had time for three rides around the Fullerton loop to get it dialed in as best I could then I took it to the great folks at Switchback to get some new tires and a good final look over.

I had planned to start mid-pack, but 5 minutes before the race I had worked my way up to about the third row
along side my friend, Dustin Luton. I hear "go" and I'm off. I'm used to a much faster start, but with only one gear I'm taking it easy on the flats, passing riders on my way to the first climb. I was wondering how long I could climb with the 42x18 before my legs started to feel the burn. I got all the way to Tim Z's group of fast guys before I started to fall back a little...first Rich Bartlett caught me, then Sho-air teammate Eric Parks...
by the time I got to Beak's my legs were on FIRE!!! Thanks to all the people there for the cheers, especially, 1x1clyde. Before the ride I figured that I'd do the most walking between Beaks and Motorway and that was pretty much the case. Some riders had encouraging comments as they passed, like Josh Jocquot and Mark Scheetz, while other's thought I was just plain nuts. =) Got to the bottom of motorway in about 2:10 and had my RockStar and Strawberry Pop-Tarts. Thanks to Jason from Switchback and Randy Profeta for helping me get refueled there.

The climb to Santiago Peak was much easier than all the rollers along the main divide and I only had to walk about 100 yards a couple of times. Every rider I'd see ahead of me was motivation to keep on pedaling out of the saddle for a little longer. I think I stood for 90% of
the entire Maple springs climb. Big thanks to my coach, Lynda, for having me do so much core work in my training. I couldn't have done that with a weak core. I crested the Peak with Dustin who won the CC last year but this year he was having a bad day.

Everything was going good until I hit Upper Holy Jim. I was on the singletrack for only a couple of minutes when I heard that sound no
rider wants to hear coming from the tires. I rode as far as I could until the front tire was completely flat and I had to break out the wrenches, take off the wheel and change the tube. Only problem was I didn't have a pump, I couldn't find it in my truck before the race. I tried to use CO2 but that didn't workout so well because of the schrader valve. So I was asking every rider that passed for a pump. I think about 15 passed before a VQ rider stopped to help me out. He mentioned that it was a great place to have a flat because of the awesome view. Thanks so much dude!! After fixing the flat, I pretty much ran all the rest of Upper Holy Jim and rode easy down Lower Holy Jim letting riders pass when I could. Most riders were cool about letting me find a place to pull over, but there were a couple of jokers who were a bit anxious and constantly ringing their bell. I thought that was a bit silly since by that time they couldn't possibly be in contention for either the VQ or the CC. Anyway, I made it down to aid #2 without another flat and the ride out to the finish didn't feel as bumpy as it usually does. I had an absolute blast!

Was it hard? I still think the VQ is harder, but maybe that's because I wasn't going so fast. Did I walk alot? Not nearly as much as I've walked at either La Ruta or the TransRockies. Would I do it again? Maybe. If I were going for time I'd have to change a few things. For starters, I'd lighten up the bike as the one I rode was a tank. I'd probably go with easier gearing so
I wouldn't have to walk so much. I'd get bottle cages so I wouldn't have to use a camelbak and have so much weight on my back. A suspension fork and disc brakes would be nice, but that's probably "cheating."

Thanks to Chris, the Warrior's Society and all the volunteers for putting on a great event. Thanks to Sherry, Tim, Jason and everyone
at Switchback for the help with getting the bike setup. As always, thanks to Team Sho-air, yes I had my kit on underneath the Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts. =) To Mike Caffery for getting me a BMX to ride and to Sauce for the "crazy" idea.

[lukewiens]

holy crap! that was you?! i was right near rich bartlett up blackstar....saw you shoot past and then we caught ya...then you passed again. crazy!!

right on...i was just thinking it was some random crazy guy that was out for some punishment!

[mtnkitty]

Who was the crazy dude on a heavy beach cruiser with the smoking brakes?

It was very cool seeing everyone, and I definitely felt the "mountain biker" camaraderie. I felt proud to be part of STR, and the mountain biking community. After watching everyone ride and the SUPPORT that so many people gave, there is a big part of me that is thinking, "Hmmmm.... Counting Coup 2010?"

[HighRevPhoto]

First time at a race and had a good time. My friends Jordan (jordansrealm) and Chris entered the CC, and since I had a weekend off I decided to follow them and snap some photos along the way. I didn't get photos of everyone since I was just following them, but for those of you who I did I'll have them up on my website in a few days. Enjoy!

First spot I was at was Maple Springs? Before the first aid section. Then I headed towards the finish a few miles in.

[jbh65]

I'm photo #2 thank you.

What is the web address

I'm photo #2 thank you.

What is the web address

nevermind. I must be half out of it because there it is in the bottom right hand corner. Thanks once again

[CalEpic]

What an awesome day. I finally checked VQ off my list. Perfect weather, the trails were in great shape, it could not have been better. I started battling calf cramps right after the golf ball and thought I was done for. Doubled up on Enduralytes and gels and kept them at bay for the remainder but the twinges were always present.

Some notable moments: reaching Beeks and see Neil cheering me on. Then the MFer pulls out his tazer and comes after me with it He was only joking thankfully.

Steppie - spreading his cheer at the bottom of Motorway - Thanks my friend. You're awesome.

A ton of STR people riding today - all happy people.

The paved climb on Maple Springs went by surprisingly quick. The dirt part seemed to take forever. Usually its the opposite. I must have been passed by half a dozen strong female riders. Hurts the ego, but cool to see such talented ladies out there tearing it up.

Most people were very cool about pulling over on the downhills to let me pass. Many thanks to the courteous riders.

West Horsethief absolutely sucked big hairy balls. That HAB was soul crushing for me. When I was at Aid 2, I was looking forward to a burger. By the time I got to the top I would have just puked it up. I didn't even stop.

The cheering sections all along the course the were awesome. Especially the end.

Thanks to Dubjay for suffering with me on West Horsethief, the Trail Angels, seems you girls were everywhere - either passing me on the climbs or cheering me on.

A special thanks to the Warriors Society for a great event. The suport was first rate, the trails were perfect. In my opinion, it doesn't get any better than this.

I had a blast!

Craig

[Jordansrealm]

awesome pics Jason thank you for coming out! Cant wait to see the rest!

[oneredbike]

It was my first VQ event and I really had a lot of fun. In pain yes, but it was part of the experience. Congrats on your bmx adventure.

[SScheetz]

Those are the best photos ever.

[Napoleon D.]

Great photos. When will they be up on your site?

[jeff^d]

Those are the best photos ever.

Seconded. They perfectly capture the awesome day we were given today.

[HTrider]

Im defiantly joining the race next year, that looks like so much fun